For the first time ever, the men of Kalalu–specifically of Bugya Bukye and KAMEDE men’s group–attended a safe motherhood training. Traditionally, local cultural views birth and child-rearing as a female responsibility; by participating in this training, these men are showing their commitment to safe motherhood–and we couldn’t be happier!

A men demonstrating “kangaroo care” as part of safe motherhood training.

One of the women’s groups fields, which will be used for planting the organic sweet potatoes and passion fruit seeds that were purchased by the Do Something Seed Grant, after the groups received organic farming training.

A special thanks to Do Something (dosomething.org) for our $500 Seed Grant! Safe Mothers, Safe Babies summer team from Jefferson Medical College implemented our Seed Grant working with women’s groups and development associations on safe motherhood initiatives. The project was a HUGE success, and accomplished:

Helped two new women’s groups form, all of which conduct safe motherhood activities and outreach.

Provided safe motherhood training to 7 groups.

Worked with 3 groups on developing high-quality safe motherhood and general health education dramas.

Provided organic farming training (which is how the groups sustain their activities) to 7 groups.

This project allowed us to reach more than 200 men and women with safe motherhood education, who are in turn educating more than 4,000 people in their communities. Each of three groups planting passion fruit and sweet potatoes will also strengthen the nutrition for at least 60 families; because the planting will be done organically (from the Do Something funded organic farming training), it will also overcome many fertility and health problems that local people have incurred after using pesticide improperly. Webale inho Do Something!!